HB 165 – DL Readers, You Have Homework!

HB 165 – DL Readers, You Have Homework!

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HB 165 is up for a vote in the House today.  If you are not familiar with this bill please read this post - More importantly, click on EVERY link in that post.  Those links will take you to blog posts from other bloggers fully explaining HB 165.  Lord knows, you won't find any of these concerns in the News Journal. So here's your homework, CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE!  No excuses.  Just do it.  Also, contact your friends and family and have them do the same. I'd like to return to an email Rep. Jaques sent to Elizabeth Scheinberg over at Children & Educators First blog.  This part jumped out at me:
If you took the time to read House Bill 165 you would see loads of transparency and accountability throughout. I hope you are not listen to the nay Sayers who just like to yell at the top of their voice, but most of the time don’t know what they are talking about! HB 165 has been properly vetted and has loads of support throughout the education community.
First, I know Elizabeth read the bill, and it was insulting to imply otherwise.  Second, naysayers?  "Who just like to yell at the top of their voice, but most of the time don’t know what they are talking about?" Is that what Rep. Jaques considers citizens who have concerns about HB 165?  What's the opposite of naysayers?  Yes men?  (Yeah, that ticked me off.) And about that "loads of support" for HB 165?  Well, Charter School advocates love this bill.  In fact, if this bill was full of compromises like Jaques implies, surely charter supporters would point out the areas they weren't so pleased with.  Haven't heard one complaint or concern.  In fact... Steve Newton has the emails going out to charter parents, urging them to contact their Reps and to tell them to vote for Hb 165.  Read them.  There's a lot of talk about money in these emails.  So much, that one would be forgiven in thinking HB 165 was a funding for charter schools bill.
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 11, 2013

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Tues., June 11, 2013

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That was quite the eventful Senate session last Thursday. We can count to three, so let us count the ways (even though Legislative Council can only count to two; seriously somebody needs a wake-up call there): 1.  The Senate handily passed SS1/SB 33(Ennis), which would require owners/landlords of manufactured homes communities to justify rent increases above the Consumer Price Index. 17 yes, 1 no(Bloviator Bonini), 1 not voting (Pope Pompous I, formerly Monsignor Lavelle). Now don't get all excited. The Senate vote was viewed as a 'free vote' last session because the Forces of Evil had wired the House. It's getting late in session. Contact your state reps and urge them to move forward and pass this bill. First warning sign will be if this bill doesn't get placed in Paul Baumbach's Manufactured Housing Committee. 2. Although Legislative Council, the official 'information' arm of the Delaware General Assembly, took no note of it, the Senate passed landmark legislation which prohibits gender identity discrimination in Delaware. SB 97(Henry) passed the Senate by an 11-7 vote.  Interesting roll call. Cathy Cloutier was the only R to vote yes,  Dems Bob Venables and Bruce Ennis voted no,  D Brian Bushweller and R Pope Pompous I went not voting. All 11 yes votes were required for passage. If your senator did the right thing, thank them. And, if anybody's home at Leg Council, could you please update the session log? I know that there are some exciting new solitaire options on your computers, but perhaps one of you...? Pretty please? 3. The Senate passed 'redistricting reform' on a straight party line vote. SB 48 creates an 11-member commission to draw the lines and to make the process more open than it has been. Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf has made it pretty clear that he likes the current 'behind closed doors' method of drawing the lines. There are quite a few House D's signed on as co-sponsors, so we'll see what happens. My guess? Schwartzkopf prevails, reform doesn't.
Kavips asks… Should Cathy Cloutier become a Democrat?

Kavips asks… Should Cathy Cloutier become a Democrat?

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He makes the point that she is the one who is in touch with her constituents, and her party is not, thus explaining all the votes that go against her party (universal background check, lost and stolen gun reporting, marriage equality, death penalty repeal). But that is not the reason for switching parties....
I was saddened to hear her Good Samaritan Bill (SB 116) was caught up in the maelstrom of Republican bills that must be shut out due to there just not being enough time to consider it. Had she been of the Democratic caucus, her bill could have been heard with majority of social legislation pieces that were vetted last month.
So if Kavips is right, if Cloutier wants to see her bills move, it would help being in the majority party. And given some recent divergences from the Republican Party on key votes, you think she might be so inclined to switch.
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., June 6, 2013

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Thurs., June 6, 2013

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I knew, I just KNEW, that I was gonna like State Rep. Kim Williams. I had liked her votes, I had liked her positions during the campaign, and I loved her work on simplifying school choice for students and parents. But yesterday she demonstrated why she is an invaluable member of the Delaware General Assembly with this quote, courtesy of the News-Journal:
"Until recently, I was on the Red Clay School Board, and we were never informed of the specifics of this bill. I feel that we need to get more public input."
Or at least SOME public input.  The Markell Administration is pushing HB 165(Jaques) to the max. In fact, I think they tried to put one over even on the legislators who are sponsoring this bill. Rep. Earl Jaques made clear that this bill is not going to be rushed through:
"We have a bill in front of us, let's discuss this bill. The time for the public to get involved is now, while we're discussing this legislation."
Others on this blog have done a far better job of describing the issues raised by this bill than I ever could. What particularly galls me is that we don't even know officially where this bill came from. There was indeed a group created to review ways to improve charter schools. Hell, the list has been provided here. But, get this, even though Gov. Markell appointed the 24-member working group, he claims that this group had no real authority and, as such, public meetings were not required. So much for 'Governor Transparency'. That is one of the most disingenuous things I've heard out of this Administration, which is really saying something. Shades of the Port of Wilmington deal. But, I digress. HB 165 barely made it out of the House Education Committee, 7-6. It is far from ready for prime time. It is June 6. People are already on vacation, including teachers, students, and parents. There is no way that this bill should be worked by June 30. Let's just see what this Governor does...
General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 5, 2013

General Assembly Post-Game Wrap-Up/Pre-Game Show: Weds., June 5, 2013

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SB 97(Henry), which would add 'gender identity' to the "already-existing list of prohibited practices of discrimination and hate crimes. As such, this Act would forbid discrimination against a person on the basis of gender identity in housing, employment, public works contracting, public accommodations, and insurance, and it would provide for increased punishment of a person who intentionally selects the victim of a crime because of the victim’s gender identity." In Senate Judiciary Committee.  The committee will also consider HB 88 As Amended(Barbieri), which attempts to keep weapons away from those who are dangerously mentally-ill. The bill passed the House with only one no vote. You can read a compelling narrative on behalf of SB 97 here. I can't hope to top that, and I won't. Except to say that the Senate has an agenda today. I don't find much of interest there, but feel free to rummage around.